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Quite often I get sores on my labia major that sort of ache and are red but very rarely pus and never rupture on their own. If broken the pus is white-ish to even a very light grey-ish brown color. I'm not sure if its herpes as they dont scar and rupture on their own but I'm not sure what they are or if they are contagious. I've had them ever since I can remember, even before I became sexually active. (And I always use protection)

2007-09-08 09:39:50 · 10 answers · asked by sahariah 3 in Health Diseases & Conditions STDs

10 answers

What you are describing does sound like herpes, but it does not mean that it is. Herpes is not a one size fits all virus. Some people do get blisters and scabbing where others do not. Some never get a lesion or blister at all, and others have no symptoms at all.

Request that your doctor do a blood test to determine if you have the virus in your system. Remember that you can have type 1 or 2 genitally, so you should also have the area cultured. The next time you notice one, call the doctor right away for a culture. The bloodtest can be done at any time.

While it is rare, you can contract genital herpes as a virgin. Any type of skin to skin contact can spread it. Early on in an oral infection, you can spread it to the genital area if you are not careful.

Whether it is herpes or not, you should get it checked out!

2007-09-08 11:39:08 · answer #1 · answered by mutherluv 3 · 0 0

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2016-08-10 01:39:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

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2016-08-31 09:52:18 · answer #3 · answered by Katrice 3 · 0 0

Signs of herpes tend to develop within 3-7 days of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Herpes infections look like small blisters or ulcers (round areas of broken skin) on the genitals. Each blister or ulcer is typically only 1-3 millimeters in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into "crops." Usually the blisters form first then soon open to form ulcers. Herpes infections may be painless or slightly tender. In some people, however, the blisters or ulcers can be very tender and painful.

2007-09-09 15:15:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I really encourage you to go and see a doctor. You can't diagnose these things on Yahoo answers. When you say you have had them since before you became sexually active, does that include oral sex? If not, you can actually contract genital herpes via oral sex if your partner is prone to cold sores (HSV type I).

For your own benefit and to protect future sexual partners, you really should get it checked out by a doctor. The best time to go is when you are actually having an outbreak as it is easier to diagnose whether it is herpes when an outbreak is present.

All the best
Harmony
http://www.harmonyonline.com.au

2007-09-08 15:08:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

herpes is generally sexually transmitted but this is something for a doctor. you could probably skip the er(more$$$) and schedule a visit w/ a md.

2007-09-08 09:45:50 · answer #6 · answered by keith h 3 · 0 0

This is something only your doctor can tell you and, even then, he has to take tests to make sure. Make an appointment and see him.

2007-09-08 10:45:57 · answer #7 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0 0

Instead of asking on here, why dont you go to someone who actually knows about std's like your obgyn and can examine you.

2007-09-08 09:47:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

the next time you get one go to the doctor and get a swab of it tested .

2007-09-08 15:21:37 · answer #9 · answered by matalchemist 2 · 0 0

What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes (also called HSV infection) is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that may cause skin blisters and sores in the genital area, but often causes no visible symptoms. It is possible to get genital herpes through sexual contact with an infected person even if he or she has no symptoms.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States and worldwide.

What causes genital herpes?
Genital herpes can be caused by either the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)—which also causes cold sores—or the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes infection in the United States.

What are the symptoms?
The first-time (primary) outbreak of HSV often starts with painful itchy blisters on the penis or on the vulva (the area surrounding the opening of the vagina). The blisters rupture and turn into oozing shallow sores that take up to 3 weeks to heal. A primary outbreak may also include flulike symptoms, such as fever, headache, and muscle aches; painful urination; and abnormal discharge. However, most people who become infected with HSV have no symptoms, or the symptoms are so mild that they do not recognize that they are infected. The incubation period—the time from exposure to genital herpes until the primary outbreak of infection—is 2 to 14 days.

After the primary outbreak, the herpes simplex virus remains in the nerve cells below the skin in the area where the sores first appeared. The virus becomes inactive, causing no symptoms. In most people, the virus becomes active from time to time, traveling from the nerve cells to the skin and causing repeated blisters and sores (recurrent outbreaks).

Sores from recurrent outbreaks usually heal faster and are less painful than those from the primary outbreak. However, genital herpes infections can be severe in people with impaired immune systems, such as people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Factors such as stress, illness, a new sex partner, or menstruation may trigger recurrent outbreaks.

Whether you have symptoms or not, you can still transmit the infection. If you are sexually active, condoms can help reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of spreading HSV.

How is genital herpes diagnosed?
Genital herpes is usually diagnosed based on your medical history and a physical exam. Your health professional may ask you questions about your symptoms and your risk factors for STDs. Risk factors for genital herpes include:

Having multiple sex partners.
Having high-risk partner(s) (partner has multiple sex partners or HSV-infected sex partners).
Having unprotected sexual contact (not using condoms).
Starting sexual activity before age 18.
Having an impaired immune system.
Being a woman. Women are more likely than men to become infected with HSV and tend to have more severe and longer-lasting symptoms. Women also are at a greater risk of having complications from genital herpes infection.
If this is your first outbreak of suspected genital herpes, further testing, such as a culture (sample) of the sore, may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

How is it treated?
Several antiviral medications are available to treat genital herpes. These medications can relieve symptoms, shorten the length of outbreaks, and prevent some recurrent outbreaks. They cannot cure genital herpes nor prevent all recurrent outbreaks. A vaccine to prevent herpes infection is not available at this time, but several are being studied and may be available soon.

Antibiotics, which fight bacterial infections, are not effective in treating a viral infection such as genital herpes.

There is no cure for genital herpes. After the primary outbreak, some people have just a few recurrent outbreaks over their lifetime, while others may have 4 to 6 outbreaks a year. Recurrent outbreaks are more likely if the cause is HSV-2 and generally are less severe and heal more quickly than the primary outbreak. Usually the number of outbreaks decreases after several years. While genital herpes is bothersome and may cause emotional distress, it usually does not cause serious health problems in otherwise healthy adults.

Can genital herpes be prevented?
Preventing an STD is easier than treating an infection once it occurs. You can take measures to reduce your risk of becoming infected with HSV or another STD. You can also reduce the risk of transmitting HSV to your sex partner(s) by practicing safe sex.

Talk with your partner about STDs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out whether he or she is at risk for an STD. Remember that it is quite possible to be infected with an STD without knowing it.
Avoid sexual contact if you have symptoms of an STD or are being treated for an STD.
Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of an STD or who may have been exposed to an STD.
Don't have more than one sexual relationship at a time. Your risk for an STD increases if you have several sex partners.
Use condoms. Condom use reduces the risk of spreading or becoming infected with an STD. Condoms must be put on before beginning any sexual contact. Use condoms with a new partner until you are certain he or she does not have an STD. Male or female condoms can be used.
While there are no vaccines that can prevent a genital herpes infection, some antiviral medications may prevent recurrent outbreaks as well as reduce the risk of infecting your partner.

If you are pregnant, take precautions to avoid becoming infected with HSV. If you are infected with HSV, you risk passing the infection to your baby during delivery, which can cause serious complications in your newborn.

Tell your health professional if you have been exposed to genital herpes or have had an outbreak in the past.
Let your health professional know if you are currently having an outbreak of genital herpes, especially if it is during the last part of your pregnancy.
Avoid oral sex with partners who have cold sores. Herpes in newborns can be caused by HSV-1, the virus that most commonly causes cold sores.

2007-09-08 12:13:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

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